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LETTER TO EDITOR: Tweeton deal respectfully declined

Posted on Nov 12, 2009 at 9:12 a.m.

To the editor:

Sorry Mr. Tweeton, although this deal would be beneficial to me, I cannot accept it. It would be selfish of me to remain silent and allow the tolerance gospel, which leads so many astray, to be carried on without any opposition. The form of love and kindness, which you promote, enables people to continue in evil behavior and causes multitudes to be deceived. The late German Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer who participated in the resistance movement against Nazism, spoke of a cheap grace which sends many to an eternal torment. By withholding the truth, I would have their blood on my own hands.

You go to church but seem to have disdain for, or a discomfort in using, scripture when discussing Christianity. My original letter was addressed not to unbelievers, other religions, or even those having only a form of godliness, but to professing Christians. I hope you don't consider one verse incessant. The verse is in English and needs no interpretation. It not only supports my own personal view, but God's foundational truth. It's Christianity 101, the very basis on which everything else stands. The very foundation of Christianity is repentance. Turning from sin is man's required response to God's grace, to teach otherwise is heresy. "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands firm, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19". If the early church proclaimed a message of tolerance; for what reason were the first disciples whipped, beaten, stoned, tortured and killed? If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would have never been crucified.

You make liberalism out to be some incurable disease when you said: "All of us liberal, heretical, bleeding heart, heathen, non-Christian, humanist". Let me state unequivocally, liberalism is not incurable. I have to confess my sin openly; I was once infected with the disease. In 1992 I voted for a man, who latter was revealed to be an adulterer, obstructer of justice, perjurer, impeached president; who twice vetoed a ban that would've stopped the hideous practice of partial birth abortion. For those who are unfamiliar with this procedure, it's too vulgar to even describe in this public forum. There's a 7 step program for complete recovery of this illness; 1. Heed the truth 2. Fall under conviction 3. Have a repentant heart 4. Accept God's grace 5. Receive Jesus as Lord (this is where your white flag is crucial) 6 Renew your mind. 7 Obey God's word.

I'm often accused of being hateful, but to me, hate is having information that will save others from a terrible fate and not sharing it. I don't have hatred toward anyone. I have no desire to condemn anyone. I will not judge anyone. Rebuke yes! Judge no! If my motives are not based on love and concern, what possible reason would I have to incur the wrath of all you liberals? There's no personal benefit to me. I have no congregation or church building to fill. I don't particularly like being called insulting names. I'm not a masochist. I'm not looking for others to agree with me in order to validate my own beliefs. Actually having a majority agree with me would weaken my faith, because this reaction would contradict Jesus' word that few will choose this narrow road. But, I do hope His following is greater than the tens of supporters that you claim there are.

Mr. Tweeton, to ask me to keep silent, is like asking me not care about men's souls. To stand by and say nothing to those who are deceived, would be like having a life preserver and withholding it from a drowning person. To refrain from warning others of imminent danger, would be akin to holding a water hose in my hands and simply watching as a building, filled with people, burn. We spend many hours and several dollars on temporal things; education, vocations, vacations and retirement; all worthy endeavors, but are so insignificant in the light of eternity. With little regard for eternity, we allow our short lives on earth to consume us. I cannot accept your proposition. My decision is not based on temporal things or personal comfort, but compassion towards others and His Great Commission. So, I am going to have to respectfully decline your generous offer.